Better way of counting characters?

Whats the best way to count the number of characters in a variable? If I
set $FROM to the reply-to of the sender, I know I can count the characters
like this:

echo $FROM | wc -c

And either use scoring or test to perform some action.  My question is, is
there a bit more system freindly of finding out how many characters are in
$FROM?

TIA

-- 
There's more than one way to skin a cat:
        Way number 15 -- Krazy Glue and a toothbrush.